Grapevine: Webber won't hold charity event in '09

The Mark Webber Pure Tasmania Challenge was first held in 2003, and then annually from 2006 to 2008, raising over one million Australian dollars for charity.

It was during a cycling section of the event that Webber suffered the road accident that left him with a broken leg last winter. A statement from the event organisers said the decision to "take a breather" had been made because several major sponsorship deals came to an end in 2008.

Webber said he was pleased to have been able to promote Tasmania via the charity challenge.

"The ever growing number of people who have seen the Challenge television programme in different parts of the world or have read stories about the event and this amazing place called 'Tasmania' is really staggering," he said.

"It's great to have played a role in taking Tasmania to the world, as it has so many idyllic features as well as being an awesome playground for an adventure race."

He added that the event could be revived in future years, and may well remain in Tasmania.

"The Challenge team remains open to considering events beyond 2009, given the established model that has been created by the Mark Webber Challenge in Tasmania," said Webber. "We would certainly look to Tasmania again in this consideration given the long and mutually beneficial relationship we have built up over the last four events."